CN110740839B

CN110740839B - Installation and method for the automated production of cable bundles

Info

Publication number: CN110740839B
Application number: CN201880023624.1A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 法比安·迪特莱因; 克里斯蒂安·古尼; 保罗·海斯勒; 罗兰·杰克莱因; 保罗·马丁斯; 奥努尔·塔瓦塞尔
Original assignee: Leoni Bordnetz Systeme GmbH
Current assignee: Leoni Bordnetz Systeme GmbH
Priority date: 2017-04-10
Filing date: 2018-04-09
Publication date: 2022-09-30
Anticipated expiration: 2038-04-09
Also published as: KR102341298B1; JP2020517053A; WO2018189104A1; JP6837160B2; US20200159193A1; RS61743B1; DE102017206140A1; CN110740839A; US11550304B2; EP3580020B1; KR20190138836A; EP3580020A1; PT3580020T; PL3580020T3

Abstract

The invention relates to a plant (2) for the automated production of a cable harness (3) which exhibits a branching structure consisting of a plurality of individual line elements (22). In order to form a cable bundle (3) having a unique branching structure, the line elements (22) are automatically placed in a predetermined distribution structure, wherein a plurality of second rails (50) oriented parallel to one another and a plurality of second conveyors (48) distributed over the second rails (50) are used for this purpose. The second carriers (48) are loaded with the line ends of the line components (22), respectively. To form the distribution structure, the second rail is then moved in the vertical direction (14) and the second conveyor (48) is moved along the second rail (50). Then, additional processing steps are carried out in this unfolded structure, for example fixing the line elements (22) to one another.

Description

Installation and method for the automated production of cable bundles

Technical Field

The invention relates to a device and a method for the automated production of cable harnesses, in particular for motor vehicles.

Background

Cable bundles usually have a plurality of individual line elements connected to one another. These line components are, in particular, core lines, twisted core lines (pairs), optical waveguides or also prefabricated partial lines, for example sheathed lines. A core is generally understood to be a conductor, either a conductor wire or a stranded conductor, surrounded by insulation. The respective cable harness has a branching structure, which corresponds to a subsequent wiring structure, for example, in a motor vehicle or in another installation. A branching structure is understood here to mean that the individual line elements branch off from the main path at different locations of the cable bundle. In the finished cable harness, a connector or other contact element is usually fastened to at least one of the line components on one side.

The manufacture and handling of such cable bundles is costly. In particular in the motor vehicle industry, a large number of different cable harness types exist (even in the same motor vehicle model) due to different equipment variants which can be individually predefined by the customer. Usually, cable bundles for motor vehicles individually configured by the customer are made only according to the customer's order. Due to the desire for short lead times, it is desirable to manufacture the individual cable bundles as quickly as possible.

Due to the large variety of types and variants of these individual cable harnesses, automation of the production of such cable harnesses is difficult, so that a high manual share has hitherto been required in the production of cable harnesses, in particular for the motor vehicle industry. Typically, the individual line elements are laid manually along a so-called cable slide according to a predefined individual branching structure and are subsequently fixed manually against one another, for example by strapping.

A semi-automated method for producing a cable harness consisting of several individual conductors is known from DE 3327583 a 1. In this method, prefabricated individual conductors are first releasably connected to one another by means of coupling elements and combined to form continuous lines, which are wound, for example, on a winding device. Subsequently, the coupling is released again from the individual conductors and the plug housing is fastened to the end on another device and the cable bundle is subsequently formed.

A further automated method for producing a cable harness is known from DE 3820638C 2. Here, the prefabricated line components are inserted into the plug housing by means of an industrial robot. The plug housing is mounted on a vertically oriented laying skid along a line. Several individual wires are loosely suspended downwardly between two adjacent plug housings. Subsequently, a wrapping is also carried out, wherein the industrial robot carries out a tool change for this purpose. In an embodiment variant, the plug housing is arranged on a rotary disk which can be moved along a linear guide. After loading the plug housing, the rotary disk is moved together with the plug housing arranged thereon into a predefined position.

Disclosure of Invention

Based on this, the object of the invention is to make available a facility and a method for the automated production of such cable bundles having a branching structure.

This object is achieved according to the invention by a device for the automated production of cable harnesses having the features of claim 1. The object is furthermore achieved by a method for the automated production of such a cable harness having the features of claim 15. The advantages and preferred embodiments set forth in terms of installation are also transferred to the method in a meaningful manner.

The facility is used for the automated production of cable bundles having a branching structure of a plurality of individual line elements. The installation comprises a control unit for controlling the individual process flows of the installation, a distribution station for distributing the line elements in a predetermined distribution configuration according to the branching configuration of the cable bundles, and a second transport system. The second transport system comprises a second rail system having a plurality of second rails oriented parallel to one another, which are independent of one another in the first direction and can be adjusted depending on the predetermined branching configuration of the cable harness. The second transport system furthermore has a plurality of second transports, which are each designed to receive a line end of a respective line component. The second conveyor is movable along the second track in a second direction. In operation, the second transport device and the second rail are controlled in such a way that the desired distribution is produced by the movement of the second rail in the first direction and by the movement of the second transport device along the second rail and thus in the second direction. Since the respective line ends of the individual line elements are arranged on the second conveyor, the cable bundle composed of the individual line elements is thereby spread out to some extent by the automatic movement of the second rail and the second conveyor. This eliminates the need to lay the individual line components individually in a predetermined direction. The spreading of the cable bundle is thus carried out automatically by means of a separate second transport system within the distribution station and a branching structure of the cable bundle is obtained.

In general, a two-dimensional plane is spanned by the movement of the second carriage and the second rail, in which case the respective carriage has the desired distribution structure in its end position.

In a preferred embodiment, the two-dimensional plane is a vertical plane, i.e. a vertical plane spanned by the first and second directions. The first direction is in particular a vertical direction, i.e. the second rail is arranged so as to be movable in the vertical direction. Correspondingly, the second direction is a longitudinal direction, which extends in particular in a horizontal direction. The cable bundle to be produced is therefore constructed overall "in suspension".

The plant is generally used for the fully automated manufacture of cable bundles. During production, the cable bundle which is unwound in the distribution station passes through a plurality of further, second processing stations which are arranged one behind the other. Process or manufacturing steps are carried out in each of these processing stations, so that the cable bundle is built up step by step depending on the type of production line. The installation is preferably divided into two parts, wherein in the first part of the installation the individual line elements required for the respective cable bundle are prepared separately and are provided in particular in a collecting station or buffer station. The line components are then removed therefrom and assembled for the cable bundle to be produced individually and placed in the desired branching structure. The arrangement of the individual line components and the formation of the cable bundle take place in the second part of the installation.

A particular advantage of the installation is that, by the automated production of the individual cable bundles, the number and type of the line components and the configuration of the cable bundles themselves can be specified individually for each individual cable bundle. The second conveyor then occupies the distribution structure at the distribution station according to the respective individual cable bundles. In this case, via the control device, it is respectively predefined which of the second conveyors is to be loaded for each individual cable bundle. By this measure, an automatic manufacture of the stacked cable bundles can be achieved, while a high degree of individualization of the respective cable bundles can be achieved. By virtue of the numerous process degrees of freedom in the production, the facility as a whole is thus enabled to arrange and produce cable bundles produced one after the other in different configurations without manual intervention.

In a suitable embodiment, the installation has a manipulator which is designed for receiving the line components, in particular individually, in particular from the buffer station, and for loading the received line components to the second conveyor. The manipulator is in particular a robot, in particular an industrial robot, and is usually a multi-axis articulated arm robot. The manipulator typically has adjustment possibilities in a plurality of degrees of freedom, in particular in a plurality of linear degrees of freedom and a plurality of rotational degrees of freedom. The manipulator generally has a robotic hand which is suitably configured for taking the individual line components from the supply station (buffer station) and fixing them to the second conveyor.

Suitably, at least one part of the second carrier can be loaded with a plugger housing. The plug housing is provided here for receiving a line end of a line component. These plug housings are plug housings of finished cable bundles. In this connection, a preassembly stage is already realized here. The line end, which is usually prepared with a contact element, is inserted or placed into the plug housing via the manipulator. By using the loading of the manipulator, a high process safety is achieved here. In particular, it is provided that during loading, process monitoring is carried out, for example, positioning monitoring and/or force monitoring of the insertion force.

In addition to the plug housing, the second transport device is expediently also configured or loaded with a deflection element or a further holder. The deflection element serves, for example, to bend the individual line elements in a defined position of the structure of the branch, for example at the branch.

The other holder serves, for example, to receive the line ends of two line elements which are connected, in particular, in a cohesive manner (stoffschlussig) to one another. In cable harnesses, it is partially necessary to place the line components at the same reference potential and to connect the line components to one another for this purpose, for example by soldering. These holding portions are used to receive the thus-connected line ends. The second transport means can expediently be loaded with the plug housing and/or the deflection element or the holder, respectively. This means that they can be temporarily fixed to the second conveyor. In order to load the respective second carriage with the plug housing, the deflecting element or the holder, a further manipulator is expediently arranged, which is suitably configured for this loading.

The second conveyor is preferably guided generally along the second track system in a loop. First, the second transporter is loaded with the necessary plug housings etc. for the respective cable bundles, then the line components are fastened individually to the transporter, and subsequently the cable bundles to be manufactured are spread out into a branching structure and the manufacture is completed automatically. Finally, the finished cable bundles are removed from the second conveyors and these second conveyors are again guided back and reloaded with the plug housings, deflecting elements, etc. for the next cable bundle.

The second carriage is loaded with the line ends of the line components, in particular in the region of a so-called plug-in station. At the plug-in station, the already mentioned manipulator is arranged and a second transport is provided on a second rail of the plug-in station. For this connector station, depending on the cable bundle to be produced, a defined number of second conveyors, which are loaded in advance with connector housings, deflecting elements or holders, are provided on the second rail. In this case, a plurality of second rails arranged parallel to one another are formed on the plug station. In this case, the individual second conveyors having a specific loading in accordance with the cable harness are distributed over the plurality of second tracks. For each cable bundle to be produced individually, a second conveyor is therefore provided for the cable bundle to be produced individually at the beginning of the production line formed by the second processing station.

In view of the highest possible process speed, the installation and the control device are designed in such a way that, during operation, in particular at the connector station, a second conveyor is provided in a collected state for loading with line components and from this state is moved into the distribution structure. The second transporter is therefore brought together as compactly as possible for loading. This means that the second carriage, which is on the same track, is pushed largely together. In addition, the second rails are also integrated as compactly as possible. The second transporter is then caused to occupy the distribution structure after loading.

In order to manufacture a cable bundle, a plurality of processing steps are typically required. In particular, the line elements must be fixed against one another. In general, in a preferred embodiment, the plant therefore has a plurality of second processing stations arranged next to one another. Each of these second processing stations preferably has a plurality of second rails which are individually movable in the first direction, i.e. in particular in the vertical direction. In each second processing station, it is thus possible to have a distributed structure. In particular, for the purpose of fixing the line elements in abutment with one another, it is advantageous to arrange the line elements in a distributed configuration, so that, for example, fixing can be carried out in a suitable manner at the branching point, so that in particular a dimensionally stable branching is formed.

In a suitable embodiment, the control device is also designed in such a way that the second tracks of the second processing stations adjacent to one another are aligned flush with one another, depending on the distribution structure. The second tracks of adjacent processing stations are here in direct staggered transition, so that the second transport means can be transferred from one second track to the other.

In a preferred embodiment, the second conveyor is moved from one processing station to the next while maintaining the occupied distribution structure. The spread cable bundle is moved between the processing stations in this spread position.

In a suitable embodiment, the second transport devices can generally be moved individually and can be driven individually. This ensures that the desired distribution structure can be occupied individually via the second transport means.

The second transport means can be driven electrically or magnetically. The drive takes place here, for example, in the form of a linear motor. In the case of a magnetic or electromagnetic drive, it is provided in particular here that the second transport means is driven via an alternating magnetic field, for example in the form of a magnetic levitation train. The second carriage is typically guided along a second track according to the form of a carriage. The individual second conveyors each have their own drive unit. In the case of magnetic drives, the drive unit comprises in the simplest case a permanent magnet or also an electromagnet. Magnets, in particular electromagnets, are thus distributed along the second track. Correspondingly, magnets, in particular permanent magnets, are also arranged on the second conveyor. A continuous magnetic field for driving the transport means is generated by corresponding pole reversal of the electromagnets.

Furthermore, as already mentioned, the facility is configured for fixing the line elements to one another. For the fixing, a further actuator is provided for this purpose, in particular. The control devices and facilities are now constructed in such a way that the fixing of the line elements takes place during deployment into the distribution structure. This enables a high work rhythm. The respective actuator is here arranged so as to be movable in a suitable manner, so that it can in particular follow the unfolding movement.

Alternatively or additionally, the fixing or further fixing of the line elements is also carried out after deployment into the distribution structure.

Drawings

Embodiments of the present invention are explained in detail below with reference to the drawings. These figures are respectively shown in partially greatly simplified illustration:

fig. 1 shows a front view of a plant for the automated production of cable bundles having a first and a second section;

fig. 2 shows a perspective view of a section of the installation in the region of the first part, shown with a store;

fig. 3 shows a perspective view of a section of the installation in the region of the second part;

fig. 4 shows a view of a section in the region of a plug station, at which a plurality of second carriers are provided;

fig. 5 shows a representation of an enlarged section in the transition region between the plug-in station and the distribution station, in which the second conveyor is transferred into the distribution structure;

fig. 6 shows a clearly simplified illustration of the second conveyor and the line components arranged thereon; and

fig. 7 shows a front view of a further second processing station, in which the second conveyors are arranged in a distributed configuration and hold the cable bundle.

In the drawings, parts that are functionally the same are provided with the same reference numerals.

Detailed Description

The installation 2 shown in fig. 1 to 3 is used for the automated production of a cable bundle 3 and is constructed in a modular manner from a plurality of individual processing stations. The facility has a first section 4 with a first processing station A, B, C, D and a second section with a second processing station E, F, G, H, I, K. In front of the first section 4 there is also arranged a store 8, which is constructed according to the type of elevated store. Each of the processing stations a to K has a respective support 10, which essentially defines a support frame within which processing units are arranged in the first section 4 for carrying out different work steps. The brackets 10 are fastened directly adjacent to one another and form a bracket structure which extends in particular in a straight line. The stents 10 are arranged next to each other in the longitudinal direction 12. The rack 10 is erected according to the type of the shelf. They extend in height in a vertical direction 14 and have a depth extending in a lateral direction 16. The longitudinal direction 12 and the vertical direction 14 open into a vertical plane, to which the transverse direction 16 is oriented perpendicularly. In the exemplary embodiment, the magazines 8 are arranged to extend in the transverse direction 16. By orienting the stand 10 in a vertical orientation, the entire stand structure has a front side 18 and a rear side 20.

During the production of the cable bundle 3, the installation 2 passes continuously in the longitudinal direction 12 from the first processing station a up to the last processing station L. In the exemplary embodiment, the modular installation 2 shown is provided here with the following processing stations.

Cutting station A, insulation removing station B, contact station C and buffer station D. The second section starts with an inserter station E, followed by a distribution station F, a multipart fixing station G with three substations G1, G2, G3 in the example, a clamping station H, a packaging station I and an end or collection station K.

In the first part 4 of the installation 2, the line component 22 is first prepared. The line component is in particular a core or a twisted core. They are supplied as metric goods via spools 24. Spools 24 are stored in the stocker 8.

In the second section 6, the individual prepared line components 22 are organized into a cable bundle 3. All this is done fully automatically without manual intervention. Inside the first section 4, the line components 22 in the individual prefabrication stages are transferred between the individual first processing stations a to D, respectively, by means of a first transport system 26.

In the second section 6, in which the formation of the cable bundles 3 from the individual line elements 22 takes place, the respective cable bundles are successively conveyed in their different prefabrication stages to the individual processing stations E to J of the second section 6 by means of a second conveying system 28.

The individual processing steps in the first portion 4 are carried out by means of a processing unit 30 which is arranged within the respective support 10 of the respective first processing station a to D.

In the second part 6, the various required work steps are carried out by means of an operator 32, which in the embodiment is embodied as a multi-axis articulated arm robot. In this case, each individual processing station E to I is assigned its own operating device 32. The individual actuators 32 are arranged so as to be movable in the longitudinal direction 12. In an embodiment, the manipulator is fastened in a suspended manner on a top rail, which is not shown in detail here.

As will be described in more detail below, in order to manufacture the cable bundle 3, the cable bundle 3 is spread out in the second portion 6 according to a desired branching structure. The cable bundle 3 is thus spread out in a two-dimensional plane. The two-dimensional plane is oriented vertically, i.e. in the aforementioned vertical plane. The cable bundle 3 is arranged here on the front side of the carrier 10. Thus, the machining is performed on the front side 18 of the carrier 10 by means of the manipulator 32.

In the automated production of the cable bundle 3, the production steps that follow one another within the installation 2 shown in the exemplary embodiment are carried out step by step and automatically:

within the magazine 8 a plurality of spools 24 are stored on which different types of line elements 22 are wound as a continuous load. The individual types of line elements 22 differ in particular in the following respects: the cross-section of the line component, in particular the cross-section of the conductor, the colour of the core insulation or whether the line component is a single core or a twisted pair of cores.

Inside the cutting station a, the different types of line components 22 unwound from the spools 24 are respectively cut to the length required for manufacturing the cable bundle 3.

In the final insulation station B, the line ends of the line components 22 are subsequently insulated by means of a corresponding insulation removal unit as the processing unit 30.

In the contact station C, a contact element, for example a contact sleeve or a contact pin, is fastened on the end side to the exposed line end, i.e. to the respective conductor of the line element 22. This is done, for example, by a crimping process.

In the buffer station D, the prepared line components 22 are collected. In the buffer station D, therefore, a plurality of line elements 22 are present according to the type of buffer store, which differ in terms of their type and/or length.

The first transport system 26 serves to transport the line components 22 between the individual processing stations a to D. The first transport system has a first rail system 34. The first rail system comprises here a circulating guide rail 36, on which a single, individually movable first carriage 38 is arranged. The first transport 38 is a carrier unit which can be moved along the guide rails 36 in accordance with the type of carriage. The carrier units are each designed to receive one or more line elements, in particular in a suspended manner. The transfer from or at the processing stations a to D to the first conveyors 38 takes place by means of a positioning unit 40, which positioning unit 40 can be moved along a transverse rail 42 in the longitudinal direction 12. The transverse rail 42 can in turn move in a vertical direction along a vertical rail 44.

First track system 34 is generally comprised of a plurality of first tracks 46. The respective first rail 46 is assigned to the respective support 10 and in particular has the length of the support. The first rail system 34 is therefore also constructed in a modular manner corresponding to the rack system. The first rails 46 of adjacent processing stations are flush with one another for forming a circumferential guide rail.

In the plug station E, the second transport 48 of the second transport system 28 is loaded with line components 22. To this end, at least one portion of the second carrier 48 is loaded with an obturator housing 60 (see fig. 4). The contact element fixed to the line end of the line element 22 is placed into the plug housing. Some of the second carriers 48 may also be provided or loaded with holders for receiving the interconnected line ends of two line elements 22. Finally, some of the second transporters are configured for guiding or deflecting the line elements 22, or are loaded with respective deflecting elements or holders.

Within the plug-in station E, it is particularly expedient to distribute the second transport devices 48 over a plurality of second tracks 50 of the second transport system 28. The second rails 50 are arranged parallel to one another here. The individual line ends of the line elements 22 are each fastened in a suitable manner to a second carriage 48, the second carriages 48 being distributed over a second track 50. In this case, all the line components 22 required for producing the cable bundle 3 are removed from the buffer station D in the plug-in station E and fastened to the second conveyor 48. This is done by means of an operator 32 assigned to the plug station E.

The pluger station E is a relatively narrow station. The second carriers 48 are preferably arranged next to each other on the plug-in station. The second tracks 50 arranged parallel to each other are preferably arranged directly side by side.

The second transport 48 loaded with the line elements 22 is transferred onto a further second track 50 in the distribution station F. In the distribution station F, the second conveyor 48, and thus the line ends of the line elements 22, are distributed into a branching structure predetermined by the cable bundle 3. The second conveyors 48 thus occupy a distribution structure within the vertical plane according to the branching structure of the cable bundle 3. For this purpose, the second carriages 48 are moved in the longitudinal direction 12 on their respective second rails 50 into a predefined position. At the same time, the second rails 50 arranged parallel to each other are pulled away from each other in the vertical direction 14, so that the desired branching structure is obtained. In the illustration of fig. 3, intermediate stations are also shown, wherein the complete distribution structure is not yet occupied within the distribution station F. This distribution structure is visible in the subsequent processing stations.

The unfolding of the second rail 50 and the movement of the second transport 48 in the longitudinal direction into its predefined longitudinal position do not necessarily have to take place within the distribution station F. This can also take place, for example, at least partially in the subsequent stationary station G.

In the fixing station G, the individual line elements are fixed against one another in order to fix, in particular, a predetermined branching structure, i.e. to impart a certain stability. For this purpose, a plurality of substations G1, G2, G3 are expediently provided, which are configured, for example, for different securing measures.

As can be seen from fig. 1, 3, the distribution station F and the first fixing station G1 are combined with each other so that they share a common rack 10.

In the clamping station, clamps are mounted (fastened) as needed. The clamp is typically fastened to the cable bundle 3 by means of lashing.

The packaging station I serves for removing the finished cable bundle 3 and for further transport of the cable bundle. For this purpose, the cable bundle 3 is received from the second rail 50 by means of the assigned actuator 32.

In the collecting station K, the individual second conveyors 48 are collected and conveyed to a common return track 52. The return rail 52 extends on the rear side 20 and up to the plug station E. The second carriage 48 is again loaded in a suitable manner at this plug station E by means of the manipulator 32 arranged on the rear side 20 with the plug housing 60 and is thus ready for the production of the next cable bundle 3.

The second conveyor system 28 has the aforementioned second track 50 and second conveyor 48. The second transport means 48 are arranged, similarly to the first transport means 38, in the form of movable carriages arranged along a rail 50. Each second conveyor 48 is individually movable and has an electromagnetic drive system. The second rails 50 are respectively movable in the vertical direction 40. Each processing station E to I has a plurality of second rails 50 arranged parallel to one another. The second rail 50 extends only over the length of the respective support 10 of the respective processing station E to I. To transfer the second conveyor 48 between adjacent processing stations, the second rails 50 are arranged flush.

Fig. 4 shows an enlarged view in the transition region between the plug station E and the distribution station F. Here, the second rails 50 of the plug station E and of the distribution station F are visible, respectively. The second rails 50 are in each case flush with one another. In the embodiment shown, four second rails 50 are arranged in total per processing station E, F. These second rails are respectively arranged along the vertical rails 44 so as to be individually movable in the vertical direction 14.

In this case, a plurality of second carriages 48 are arranged on a second track 50, which are distributed over a plurality of second tracks 50.

In this case, the respective second carriage 48 is loaded with different elements, in particular with an obturator housing 60 and a deflection element 62. The individual second conveyors 48 are arranged in a mutually spaced-apart arrangement as close as possible. On the one hand, the second rails 50 are thus as convergent as possible. At the same time, the individual second conveyors 48 are arranged at a low or even no distance from one another on the respective second tracks 50. In this position shown in fig. 4, the second carriage 48, in particular the obturator housing 60 fastened thereon and the deflecting element 62, is loaded with the line element 22. For this purpose, the use of an actuator 32 assigned to the plug station E is considered. The prepared line end of the line component 22 is introduced into the plug housing 60. The line ends are typically preassembled here with contact elements, for example crimp elements.

The second transporter 48 is then transferred from the pluger station E onto the second track 50 of the subsequent distribution station F. In the distribution station F, the cable bundle is then "spread" into the desired distribution configuration. In this case, the second conveyors 48 are pulled apart from one another in the longitudinal direction 12 along their respective second rails 50. At the same time, the second rails 50 are also pulled away from each other in the vertical direction 14. At the end, the second conveyor 48 occupies the distribution structure shown in fig. 5, for example. Fig. 5 shows a view of one of the fixed stations G1, G2, G3, for example, or also of a combination of distribution station F/fixed station G1. The line element 22 is not shown in fig. 4 and 5.

The line element 22 is shown by way of example only in fig. 6. As can be seen well here, the individual line elements 22 are each fastened with their line ends to a second carrier 48. Due to the vertical arrangement of the entire installation and the rack 10, the individual line elements 22 are suspended from the second conveyor 48. Since the line elements are each held with their line ends, each of them is arranged here in a substantially U-shaped manner. Fig. 6 shows the situation in the region of the plug-in station E, so that in this case the individual second carriers 48 are arranged next to one another and are not yet arranged in the intended distribution.

Fig. 7 shows a view of a second processing station, for example one of the fixing stations G1, G2, G3 with the cable bundle 3 in a branching configuration. It is well visible that the second rails 50 of the processing stations currently holding the cable bundle 3 therein and of the subsequent processing stations (left half) are oriented flush. As long as the cable bundle 3 is processed in the processing station, the cable bundle 3 is transferred in the form of a spread-out configuration, i.e. in the form of a distribution configuration of the second conveyors 48, to a subsequent second processing station, for example a further fixing station G2, while maintaining the branching configuration.

A particular significance of the installation 2 described here is the fact that the individual second conveyors 48 can be driven individually and can therefore each occupy a separate position on the respective second rail. At the same time, each of the second rails 50 of each second processing station can also be moved individually, so that the spacing between two second rails 50 adjacent in the vertical direction 14 can be freely adjusted.

In this case, it is possible to specify a separate distribution structure for each cable bundle to be produced and to occupy the same accordingly. Overall, an automated production of individual cable bundles with different branching structures is thereby achieved. The desired distribution and the selection of the required line components, plug housings, etc. is predetermined by a control device not described in detail here.

List of reference numerals

2 facilities

3 Cable bundle

4 first part

6 second part

8 goods warehouse

10 support

12 longitudinal direction

14 vertical direction

16 transverse direction

18 front side

20 rear side

22-line element

24 bobbin

26 first transport system

28 second transportation system

30 processing unit

32 manipulator

34 first track system

36 guide rail

38 first transporter

40 locator unit

42 transverse rail

44 vertical rail

46 first track

48 second conveyer

50 second track

52 common return track

60 plug device housing

62 deflecting element

A cutting station

B insulation removal station

C contact station

D buffer station

E-inserter station

F distribution station

G (G1, G2, G3) fixing station

H clamping station

I packaging station

K collecting station

Claims

1. A plant (2) for the automated production of a cable bundle (3) having a branching structure and a plurality of individual line elements (22), wherein the plant (2) has:

a control unit for controlling the installation (2),

-a distribution station (F) for distributing the line elements (22) into a pre-given distribution configuration according to a branching configuration of the cable bundle (3),

-a second transport system (28) having:

-a second rail system having a plurality of second rails (50) oriented parallel to one another, which are independent of one another in the first direction (14) and can be adjusted depending on a predetermined branching structure of the cable bundle (3), and

-a plurality of second conveyors (48) which are each configured for receiving a line end of a respective line element (22) and which are movable along the second track (50) in a second direction (12), wherein a desired branching structure can be produced by a movement of the second track (50) in the first direction (14) and by a movement of the second conveyor (28) along the second track (50), wherein,

a plurality of second processing stations are arranged next to one another and each have a plurality of second rails (50) which are individually movable in the first direction (14) and in which,

the control unit is designed in such a way that the second rails (50) of the second processing stations adjacent to one another are aligned flush with one another, depending on the distribution structure, for the transfer of the second conveyor.

2. Plant (2) according to the preceding claim, wherein said first direction (14) and said second direction (12) lie outside a vertical plane within which said second conveyor (48) is movable.

3. Installation (2) according to claim 1, wherein an operator (32) is arranged, which is configured for loading the second conveyor (28) with the received line component (22).

4. Installation (2) according to claim 1, wherein at least one part of the second carrier (48) can be loaded with a plug housing (60) for receiving a line end of the line element (22).

5. Installation (2) according to the preceding claim, wherein a further manipulator (32) is arranged, the further manipulator (32) being configured for loading the second transporter (48) with a respective plug housing (60).

6. Installation (2) according to claim 3, wherein an inserter station (E) is provided which is configured for loading the second transporter (28) with a line end of the line component (22), wherein an operator (32) is arranged on the inserter station (E) and the second transporter (28) is provided onto a second rail (50) of the inserter station (E).

7. Installation (2) according to the preceding claim, wherein the control unit is configured in such a way that, at the plug station (E), depending on the cable bundle to be manufactured, a defined number of second transporters (28) pre-loaded with plug housings (60) are provided onto the second track (50).

8. Installation (2) according to claim 1, wherein the control unit is configured in such a way that, in operation, the second conveyor (28) is provided in a collected state for loading the line elements (22) and is moved from the collected state into a distribution structure.

9. The installation (2) according to claim 1, wherein the control unit is set up for: the second conveyor (28) is moved during operation from one processing station to a subsequent processing station while maintaining the distribution structure.

10. Facility (2) according to claim 1, wherein the second transporter (28) is individually movable.

11. Plant (2) according to the preceding claim, wherein said second conveyor (28) is electrically or magnetically drivable.

12. Installation (2) according to claim 1, wherein an operator (32) is provided for fixing the line elements (22) to one another and the control unit is set up in such a way that the fixing of the line elements (22) takes place during deployment into a distributed structure.

13. A method for the automated production of a cable harness (3), the cable harness (3) having a branching structure and a plurality of individual line elements (22), wherein,

automatically distributing the line elements (22) into a predetermined distribution structure according to a branching structure of the cable harness (3), wherein a plurality of second rails (50) oriented parallel to one another and a plurality of second conveyors (28) distributed over the second rails (50) are used for this purpose, and wherein the second conveyors (28) are each loaded with a line end of the line elements (22) and subsequently the second rails (50) are moved in a first direction (14) and the second conveyors (28) are moved along the second rails (50) in a second direction (12) in order to form the distribution structure, wherein,

the second rails (50) of the second processing stations adjacent to one another are oriented flush with one another, depending on the distribution structure, for the transfer of the second conveyor.